Mechanism for forming ingots



3 Sheets- Sheet 1.

(No Model) I PyH. DANIELS. MECHANISM FOR FORMING INGPTS. BARS. RODS QQ FRUM FLUID METAL.

Pat n-tGd -Mar, 15, 1887.

fNVE/VTUR (No Model.)

H a Sheets-Sheet 2.

1?V 1-1. B FORMING masts. Bus, RODS, &o., FROM FLUID METAL.

MECHANISM 10 No. 359,348. Patented Maw 15, 1887.

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(No Model.)

F. H. DANIEL MECHANISM FOR FORMING me ors, BAR-S, RODS, M, FROM FLUID METAL.

No. 359,348. Patented Mar.15,1887.

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1 U E I ATE PATENT OFF C "rash H. DANIELS, on WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

MECHANISM FQR FORMING INGOTS, BARS, RODS, &c., FROM FLUID METAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.359 ,3 48, dated March 15,1857.

Application filedLTnne 4, i885. SerinlNmQOiJlS. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRED H. DANIELS, a citizen of the United States, residing at \Vorcester, in the county of Vorcester and State of Masachusetts, have .invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanism for Forming Ingots, Bars, or Rods from Fluid Metal, of which the following, together with the accompanying drawings, is 'a specification sutficiently full, elear,'and exact to enable persons skilled in the art to which this invention appertains to make and use the same.

The object of this my present invention is to provide an efficient and practical mechanism for forming continuous ingots from fluid metal, which mechanism aflords a continuously-traveling mold or receiving-space into which the metal can be introduced in a continuous molten or flnid stream, and wherein said metal is confined and supported until it has congealed or become solid, while constantly advancing toward a point of delivery at which the ingotis discharged in a constantlyincreasing length and in a sufficiently cool and solid condition to be handled, rolled, or subjected to such usage as may be required in subsequent process of treatment; also, to provide facilities for controlling and regulating the flow of fluid metal tothe constantly-advancingingot-forming mold during the opera-- tion of casting the ingot, in order that the proper quantity of metal may be supplied to completely fill the mold without permitting overflow or waste of metal in the operation; also, to afford facilities for regulating the tension of the flexible exterior portion of the mold, and for holding it in connection with the curved surface of the matrix support or wheel to allord facilities for cooling the matrix; also, to provide means, in combination with the mechanism for forming ingots from fluid metal, whereby fins or roughness at the angles of the ingot can be removed as the ingot is delivered from the forming-matrix. These objects I attain by mechanism the nature, construction, and operation of which areillustrated in the drawings, and hereinafter explained, the particular Subject claimed being hereinafter definitely specified.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view, in sectional elevation, illustrating my improvements in mechanism for making'ingots from fluid metal. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, the

'upper part being removed to reveal parts beneath. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are sections through the traveling mold, showing difierent modifications in the construction of the wheel and shape of the matrix and ingot. a detail view of the shear device for removing fins from the angles of the ingot. Fig. 7 is a detail view of grindingwh eels for dressing the angles of theingot. Fig. Sis a view of aportion of the flexible exterior or cover of the mold or matrix constructed as a series oflinked plates, or in the manner ofa chain. Fig.- 9 is a transverse section showing the rim of the matrix-wheel, a chain-baud, and a water-back. Fig. 10 is a-section of the rim of the matrixwheel, showing a partition or rib for separating the ingot at definite intervals. Fig. 11 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view showing Fig. 6 shows 12 is a transverse vertical section of said guide.

In referring to parts, A denotes a large circular wheel or niatrixcarrier, rcvoluble on a central axis or shaft supported by suitable hearings on the frame B and adapted to receive motion from a driving engine or motor (not; shown) connected with the axial shaft a. The face or rim of the wheel A is dressed off true and smooth, and is provided with a channel, depression, or groove, 0, of a size and shape corresponding to that required for the ingot, which groove extends around the wheel and forms the matrix or continuous mold into which the fluid metal is cast.

The ingot may be made in any form of seetiou, but I prefer one of the forms shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5-viz., a square, a triangular, ora half-round shape-assueh forms will leave the matrix or groove more readily'at the point of discharge.

D indicates the flexible exterior portion of the mold, consisting of an endless band supported in contact with the face of the wheel A by means of guiding-wheels E E, the axial journals of which are arranged to turn in suitable bearings on the upper and lower part of the frame, respectively. Said wheels serve to keep the baud D firmly drawn against the curved surface of the wheel A and cause itto move in unison therewith, so there will'be no sliding frictionbetween the parts or against the surface of the ingot while being produced. A tension and guiding wheel, E, is arranged for the rear part of the band. The journal.-

bearingboxes E, in which the axis or shaft of said wheel E is mounted, are made adjustable in the frame B, and are provided with screws e, as indicated, or equivalent means whereby said wheel can be moved for increasing or de-" creasing the tension of the band D.

The wheels E E are operated by gears E, that mesh with a gear, A, connected with the main wheel A or its shaft. The wheels A, E,- and E are provided with peripheral flanges, to retain the band D in proper alignment with the face of the wheels and matrix C.

Th'eband D is preferably formed of a strip of sheet-steel, copper, or other suitable mate- 7 rial of proper width and havingsufiicient flexibility to work over theguide pulleys or wheels and to lie up close to the face of the mold. In some instances, if desired, a chain of linked plates' may be employed in lieu of the metal gether at their-ends, as indicated in Fig. 8. In

this case the facing-band and the backingchain could be carried either on the same or separate guiding wheels or pulleys, the chain D rotating within the circuitof the facing band Dand movinginto position to take hearing against said band D, where the latter is. brought against the face of the matrix-wheel A, and the two then, moving in unison with said wheel to the position of discharge.

If desired, a series of rolls, d, may be arranged at the back of the chain or band, for pressing it up to the face of the wheel, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 8.

F indicates a cooler or water-casing, having an internal water-space, W, arranged on the back of the band D, along the space between the rollsE and E, for the purpose of maintaining a current of water along the exterior surface of said band above the matrix, forcooling and congealing the fluid metal in the matrix. A water-supply pipe, f, connects with the upper part, and openings T are formed at the bottom of the casing to permit the water to escape.

F indicates adjusting screws or devices for supporting the casing F and pressing it forward against the band with the desired force.

G indicates the ladle or hopper located at the upper part of the frame and adapted for containing the supply of molten metal to be fed to the mold. Said ladle is furnished with an opening in its bottom from which the metal can flow into the guide-funnel h,whercby it is directed into the channel or matrix C. A stopper, H, having suitable operating devices, as H, serves-for regulating the flow of metal as required. t J

K indicates a ladleconnectedlwitha crane, Kfifar transferring fluid metal from any suitable m'eltingfurnace to replenish the supply in the ladle'G as required.

P P indicate platforms for the workmen to stand upon while attending the ladles.

S indicates a rotary shear for trimming off fins or projections, in. case any should be formed along the angles of the ingot, should the metal at any place be forced out between the band and face of the wheel. Said shear consists of disks or rotary cutters mounted on shafts s s, respectively, above and below the line of the ingot, the edges of the disks being fitted to shear against each other as the disks are rotated at suitable speed by means of gearingt driven from the main gear of the machine, or in other suitable manner. Said shear is preferably located adjacent to the deliveryguide L, whereby the congealed' ingot is discharged from the forming'matrix or groove 0 and directed outward upona receiving-platform or roller-bed, M, which latter may extend any desired distance from the foot of the -ingot-forming mill.

The guide L is made with a removable top section, L, the front end of which is formed as awedge or scraper for forcing the ingot I from the matrix or groove 0, straightening the curvature and directing the same away from the wheel tangentially to the circle of the circumference thereofin the manner indicated. The top of the guide, L, is held in place by a crossbar, l, and key I, which bar is made of sufficient strength to withstand all normal strain, but weak enough to break in case any extraordinary strain is brought upon the guide, so that in case of the choking of the ingot or other derangement the top of the guide will come off and relieve the mechanism from damage.

The guide may be extended to any length desired, so that in case the interior of the ingot is in fluid condition when it reaches said guide the guide will support it and facilitate the further cooling or complete congealing of the metal before it is released therefrom. For more rapidly effecting this action the guide is preferably made with openings 0, as indicated in Figs. 11 and 12, through it, and a constant flood or'strcam of water is directed upon the guide and ingot passing through it from a suitably-disposed water-supply pipe, 0, or in other equivalent manner, the perforations permitting the access of the water or coolingfluid directly to the surface of the ingot.

N denotes g'rindingwheels, of emer-yor other suitable material, disposed in a manner to act upon the angles or edges of the ingot per or ladle G, the mill then being put into sufiiciently solid to withstand ahrasivcact-ion.

part of the mill i as part-itions'to cut off the matrix-space, or so nearly cut off said space that the ingot will l break apart at positions correspondingtherewith as it becomes straightened by the guides 4 or when cooled. In some instances partitions V can be fixed in the groove C of the wheel t A, if desired, as indicated in Fig. 10. If desired, the rim of the wheel A may be formed hollow, as indicated at 7', (see Fig. 5 l and dotted lines, Fig. 11,) said hollow to be central shaft, and adapted to serve as a pass- 1 way for water or other refrigeratingliquid to assist the cooling of the metal. i

The operation of my improved ingot-mill is as follows: The-metal, which may be melted, f treated, converted, or prepared in any desired manner in any suitable melting or producing furnace, is, as required, deposited in the hop- 5 operation, so that the matrix-wheel A and band D have a forward movement in the direction indicated. The attendant then raises the stopper H and allows the fluid metal to flow into the matrix or groove C through the funnel h, a plug of fire-clay having been previouslyinserted in the groove 0 to preventthe metal from escaping at the start, the stream being graduated to correspond withthe move-' ment of the traveling mold, so that the metal will fill the mold as fast as it advances, and

without flowing over at the top. The metal is l held within the matrix by the band or flexible front portion, D, and as it descends by the forward movement of the parts it becomes con gealed or solidified, so that as it reaches the lower side of the wheel, or the position where the guide L is located, it has become sufficiently solid to retain its shape and to be transferred from the matrix to the guide, wherein it is further cooled, as hereinbefore stated, and passes out upon the roller-table M in a continuous ingot or series of successive sections, or ifthe partitions V or V are used in the matrix-groove, then in aserics of defined lengths.

The band D and wheel A form a continuously-traveling mold, the parts of which advance and take place in conjunction with each other at the point of receiving the metal, move in unison,aud support the metal while it-is becoming congealed, and recede and open the matrix at the point wherethe congealed ingot is discharged or transferred to the guides. L, thus oifering no sliding friction or resistance on the surface of the ingot until it has become Inm aware that wheels having a matrixgroove in the peripheral face thereof have heretofore been describedand shown in mechsaid wheel, guide-pulleys metal, constructed What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- 1. In an apparatus for the continuous production of ingots, bars. or rods from molten or fluid ble wheel having a groove or matrix, an end less traveling band aportion of which embraces a segment of the peripheral circle of for supporting and guiding said band against the periphery of said wheel, a tension-wheel, as E, mounted in {journal-boxes which are movable in guideconnected with passages through the arms and l ways in the supportingframe, and adjustingscrews, whereby said boxes and the tensionwheel can be adjusted for regulating the tension of said band, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In an apparatus for the continuous production of ingots, bars, or rods from molten or fluid. metal, the combination of the revoluble wheel having a groove or matrix in its face, an endlecs traveling band working in conjunction therewith about a segment of the surface, guide-pulleys for supporting and guiding said band, a water casing or cooler embracing said band along that portion adjacent to the face of the wheel, guides for discharging the ingot from the groove or matrix, and means for delivering water upon said discharge-guide, substantially as set forth.

3. An apparatus for the continuous production of ingots, bars, or rods from fluid as herein illustrated and described, consisting of the wheel having the peripheral matrix-groove revoluble in a vertical plane, the endless traveling band embracing a segment of the peripheral surface of said wheel, the guiding and tension pulleys E E E, gears-A and E for operating said wheel and band in unison, the ladle G, having the adjustable stopper H, the discharging and supporting guide L, cdgetrimmingdevices S, and roller-bed )1, arranged and operating substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, casting or producing ingots, bars, or rods from iiuid metal, of shearing devices operating in connection therewith and adapted for cutting oli fins or projections from the ingot or bar as it is delivered from the forming-mill.

5. The combination, with mechanism for casting or producing ingots, bars, or rods from fluid metal, of a grinding mechanism for dressing off the edges of the ingot as it is delivered from the forming mechanism, snbstantiallyas set forth.

6. The combination, withrthe band or chain D, of a projection V, adapted to enter the matrix for separating-the ingot into bars of definite length, as set forth.

producing continuous bars and rodsmetal, the combination of the revoluwith mechanism for 7. The combination of a revoluble wheel,

an endless band or chain working in conjunction therewith to form a traveling mold intewhich-the metal is cast, and a. water-casinginclosing said band, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5 8. The combination, with a traveling mold for forming ingots or bars, of adischargingguide havinga removable top section adapted to act as a wedge or scraper for forcing the ingot from the forming-matrix, and retained I la in position by a breaking-bar,l, and key, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. The combination, with a traveling mold for forming ingots or bars from fluid metal, of a guide through which the ingot passes after 15 leaving themold, adapted for straightening and supporting the ingot and maintaining the sectional form thereof while cooling and until I v perfectly congealed.

10. Ijhe combioationofa traueling mold for formingiugots or bars from fluid metal by a :0 continuous process, and a guide through which the ingot or bar its-conducted as t leaves the 

